Exploring Magnets: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Only bars are real magnets.”

Ask together

What happened when the differently shaped magnet approached the clip?

What’s true

Magnets can work without having a bar shape.

If your child says… “Every metal sticks to magnets.”

Ask together

What did the foil do when the magnet came close?

What’s true

Aluminium is not attracted in this test, although it is a metal.

If your child says… “The middle pulls hardest.”

Ask together

Where was the clip harder to pull away?

What’s true

A bar magnet's strongest pull is near its poles.

If your child says… “Any hanging metal points north.”

Ask together

What matters here: being metal, or being a magnet?

What’s true

An unmagnetised metal bar does not reliably settle north–south.

If your child says… “Two magnets always pull together.”

Ask together

What changes when you turn the handheld magnet around?

What’s true

The facing poles decide whether magnets attract or repel.

If your child says… “Anything attracted must be another magnet.”

Ask together

Which result appears only with the second magnet?

What’s true

An unmagnetised iron bar can be attracted by either pole but does not repel either.

If your child says… “Cardboard blocks the magnet's pull.”

Ask together

What moved the clip without touching it?

What’s true

Thin cardboard allows the effect through, but greater distance can weaken it.

If your child says… “Dropping a magnet cannot weaken it.”

Ask together

Why does the diagram warn against dropping and hammering magnets?

What’s true

Rough handling can weaken a magnet's pull.